09/07/2013 // WPB, FL, USA // Injury Lawyers News // Nicole Howley // (press release)
Trenton, N.J.—You better think twice before sending a text to someone who you know is behind the wheel. A New Jersey appeals court determined that New Jersey residents will share liability if they knowingly text someone who is behind the wheel and causes an accident, reports the New York Post.
According to the appeals court, anyone who text messages someone who is behind the wheel is not liable for the driver’s negligent actions. Instead, the sender of the text message has a duty to refrain from texting if they know the recipient is behind the wheel and will likely read the message.
The ruling is a result of a lawsuit where a couple lost both of their legs after a texting teen driver struck their motorcycle in 2009 in Morris County.
The girlfriend of the driver was subsequently sued by the couple, which believed her texting was a factor leading to the crash.
The appeals court upheld a lower court’s ruling dismissing the lawsuit. The lawsuit was settled against the driver for $500,000.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for New Jersey automobile accident lawyers.
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